Netanyahu denies meeting Egyptian intelligence chief before October 7 attack
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied meeting Egypt's former intelligence chief just days before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, amid renewed questions over whether Israel ignored warnings of an impending assault.
Speaking to Channel 14 on Tuesday, Netanyahu said he was unaware of whom former Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel met during a brief visit to Israel on September 26, 2023.
Media reports alleged that Kamel warned Israeli officials that Gaza could erupt into violence unless Israel changed its approach. Egyptian authorities have not publicly commented on the reported warning.
“I want to know who he met with. I want to know the truth,” Netanyahu said, rejecting suggestions that he had personally received the warning. The prime minister accused an unidentified individual of attempting to falsely link him to the meeting and called on security and law enforcement agencies to investigate.
The controversy has revived criticism of Netanyahu's government over its failure to prevent the October 7 attack, just two weeks before Israel's parliamentary elections.
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During the interview, Netanyahu also addressed regional security, claiming that several Middle Eastern and Western countries regularly seek Israel's assistance despite publicly criticising its policies.
He further warned that Israel was prepared to deploy “massive force” against any potential Palestinian uprising in the occupied West Bank, saying the military had developed plans to respond.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
